Iraqi forces start operation against Islamic State in Anbar
Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraq's Shiite paramilitary forces, Popular Mobilisation, announced on Tuesday the launch of an operation to drive Islamic State (IS) out of the country's western province of Anbar.
IS began to seize large parts of the province back in 2014, but managed to take over Ramadi, the province's capital, on 18 May after the country's army withdrew.
Read more: Islamic State scores significant victory, seizes control of Ramadi
During a televised news conference, al-Assadi said the operation would "not last for a long time" and that new weapons would be used in the battle in order to "surprise the enemy".
On ocassion of an interview with the BBC on Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Ramadi might be recaptured "within days".
They want to send this message that they are winning but they are not
“They want to send this message that they are winning but they are not,” he added.
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